Bengaluru, Jan 7: Following Bharat bandh call from labour organizations seeking fulfillment of their demands on January 8, the state government has taken all steps to maintain law and order situation in the state, Home Minister MB Patil.

In view of the Bharat Bandh, he held discussions with DGP Neelamani N. Raju on measures to be taken to ensure law and order situation in the state. People should cooperate with the police.

All emergency services like hospitals, Medical shops, Ambulance, Milk, Vegetables and others will get as usual. All deputy commissioners were directed to take decisions on declaring holiday for schools and colleges based on the local importance, he said in a statement.

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Beirut: Lebanon’s has moved to underline its independent position in ongoing regional developments, amid attempts to link the country to the broader conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.

President Joseph Aoun, while announcing the appointment of former US ambassador Simon Karam as Lebanon’s representative in talks with Israel, made it clear that Karam would be the sole representative for Lebanon and that there would be no substitute.

The move comes in response to what the Lebanese officials see as efforts by Iran to tie Lebanon’s situation to the wider regional conflict. Iran had indicated that there would be no ceasefire involving the US, Israel and Iran unless it also included a ceasefire in Lebanon.

Some groups, including Hezbollah and its supporters, had expressed support for linking the situations, citing concerns that the Lebanese government has limited leverage in negotiations with Israel. Lebanon is not formally a party to the conflict, and its army is considered weak.

However, others, including Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, have opposed this approach. They view Iran’s stance as an attempt to influence Lebanon’s internal affairs and see it as undermining the country’s sovereignty.

Officials backing the government’s position say the move is aimed at reaffirming Lebanon’s sovereignty and ensuring that decisions about peace and ceasefire within the country are not dictated externally.

They also see it as a safeguard, so that any breakdown in talks between the US, Israel and Iran does not automatically lead to renewed conflict in Lebanon.